Experts Estimate That 80-90% Of Disease Is Stress Related.

Stress has become an epidemic and is a major contributing factor among the serious health issues we are confronting today. There are many great ways to reduce our stress and gain perspective on our lives. Massage is one of them. We know that massage feels great. That part is easy, right? But have you ever wondered what is happening on a cellular level?

 

It Is Important To Understand The Body’s Response To Stress.

One of the most important benefits of massage is that it activates the parasympathetic nervous system which has profound effects on every system in the body. This is also known as the relaxation response. When we are experiencing chronic stress our sympathetic nervous system is in constant “fight or flight” mode which releases a surge of adrenaline and cortisol. While this is useful during brief, life-threatening moments of stress it has serious consequences when it becomes chronic. Unfortunately, the nervous system does not know the difference between these situations and reacts strongly either way.

 

The negative effects of being in the sympathetic (stress) response include: slowed digestion, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, increased sugar in bloodstream, suppressed immune system, and increased muscle tension. Experiencing this over a prolonged period leads to some of the most common illnesses including: heart disease, heart attack and stroke, obesity, digestive problems, fatigue, sleep problems, autoimmune diseases, depression, skin conditions, headaches and migraines. The disruption in normal hormone function can also contribute to infertility.

 

Massage is one of the best ways to activate the relaxation response and help to reverse the effects of chronic stress. This will have positive effects on each system of the body returning your body to its natural state of health.

 

Physiological Benefits of Massage

 

Massage helps to relieve muscle soreness, stiffness, and tension in the body, improving muscle tone, range of motion in joints, and tissue elasticity. Tight muscle fibers and “knots” decrease circulation, causing pain. Massage breaks down these adhesions, releases connective tissue, and pumps the muscles, allowing proper circulation of blood and nutrients to return to the area. Endorphins are also released during massage which are considered to be a powerful pain-killer and important in stress relief and immune support.

 

Healing and relief from pain can not occur without proper circulation of blood and lymph. The lymphatic system cleanses the body of waste and toxins and stimulates the immune system while the circulatory system delivers nutrients to the cells, tissues and organs of the body.

 

Through the relaxation response massage helps to regulate hormonal activity and chemical reactions in the body promoting a return to homeostasis.

 

Psychological and Emotional Benefits of Massage

Massage increases our sense of calm, enhances our capacity for creativity, improves energy levels, mental and emotional clarity, and the ability to concentrate. Anxiety is greatly reduced and we are able to cope with our daily stressors with a better perspective.

Increasing awareness of the mind-body connection improves our self-image and confidence. We will also be more able to identify when we feel tension arising in the body and address it before it manifest in a negative way.

 

In Health,

Stacey Mairs, LMT